Elliott Museum offers a world of entertainment

The Elliott Museum will celebrate 50 years next year as it plans to demolish this building and double the space of the current facility.

DEBORAH SILVER deborah.silver@scripps.com
The steering wheel of a 1903 Cadillac Model A is seen through the window of a 1928 Chevrolet Landau Coupe in the museum’s car gallery.

DEBORAH SILVER deborah.silver@scripps.com
A sketch and a box of art supplies sit on the floor during a Life Drawing class on Wednesday. “Painters come and paint; pencil drawers come and draw; it’s like piano practice for artists,” said Stuart artist Patrice Scott, about the group that gathers for the weekly session. In addition to this class, The Studio at the Elliott offers a variety of classes and workshops for every skill level, experience and age.

DEBORAH SILVER deborah.silver@scripps.com
Sharon Ferina of Jensen Beach uses watercolor to painta human figure from a live model during a Life Drawing class held weekly.

DEBORAH SILVER deborah.silver@scripps.com
“We’ve been packing for several years,” said Janel Hendrix, curator of The Elliott Museum, referring to the long-term expansion and renovation plan for the museum, as she searches for uniforms that will be on display during an upcoming weekend night event. Hendrix, who has been the Elliott’s curator for the past four years, works with the museum’s permanent collections as they prepare to transition to temporary digs this spring while the new building is put up on the same site as the current one.

STUART — If you're looking for something to do on a free afternoon, the Elliott Museum has something for everyone.

Whether your interest is baseball, your passion is antique cars or you just want to learn how to paint, the museum at 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd. in Stuart offers hours of entertainment.

The museum is planning a major project come spring — the museum's Hutchinson Island building will be demolished and in its place will rise a state-of-the-art museum. Museum officials still are looking for an interim site during the construction, which is expected to take 18-20 months.

The new building, a two-story structure that will double the size of the current one, will include the most extensive Model A vehicle collection in the world, says the museum's website. In addition, it will have interactive exhibits, flexible gallery space and an in-house theater as well as a cafe.

The museum is at 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd. on Hutchinson Island in Stuart. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 children from 5-12 years of age and free for children under 5. Click on their website atelliottmuseumfl.org for more detailed information.

The capital campaign for the new Elliott Museum lacks $4 million of the $18 million that is needed, according to its website, so donations can be made by calling (772) 225-1961, ext. 110, or e-mailing Development Manager Amy Christensen at achristensen@elliottmuseumfl.org.